Gate-latch.



- UNITED STATES J Patented June'7, 1904.

P TE T OFF CE.

DAVID WILSON, or DEKALB, ILLINOIS, AssIeNon To AMERICAN STEEL a WIRE ooMPANY, A '(JORPORATION or NEW JERSEY.

GQIATE-JLATCHQ SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 761,740, dated J n ne '7, 1904.

" Application filed January 25,1904. S e1ialNo 190,4A7. (Nb model.) n

T 0 all whom, it in dyncorzc crm- Be it known that I, DAVID IViLsoMafcitiZen of the Un ted States, residing at Dekalb,county of Dekalb," State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improve'mentsin Gate- Latches; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe one to the other, so that they operate simultane- The latter of these two constructions ously. is the better arrangement, for the reason that the gate is fastened at more than one point, thereby preventing alltendency of twisting the gate either by slamming it or by pushing against it when shut and fastened; but it has been found by experience that it isundesirable to have the loops rigidly secured together,

owing to the fact that very often the post to which the striking-studs are secured will lean either in or out, and the gate swinglng on a perfectly true vertical axis it'will be readily understood that one of the loops will strike its stud and be operated thereby before the other loops have reached their corresponding studs. It will also be understood that as soon as one of the loops strikes its stud and is operated the rest of the loops will turn upon their axis to such a position that it will be impossible for them to latch when their operating-studs are reached. i ,v V

In the present invention each loop has an independent movement, and notwithstanding the fact that the post might lean in or out each loop will in its turn be operated as its corresponding stud .1s reached.

The invention is illustrated in the accompa nyi'ng drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation of a fence-post and 5 0 part of a gate provided with my catch or gatefastener, showing one of the loops closed and the other in a position to be operated by its stud.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the gatefastener detached, showing the loops in side elevation and the connecting-means in section. Fig. 3 isan end elevationof the loops, showing the connecting means in elevation and also showing the finger-gripsfor unfastening the latch. Fig. 4 is asectional view of arnodified form of the connecting means.

Referring to the drawings, 1 denotes an ordinary horizontal-swinging gate, and 2 a fixed post contiguous to the free end of the swinging gate. At suitable elevations studs 3 are 5 rigidly secured in the post 2, said studs having a relatively small shank and a relatively large head, thus serving-to prevent any tendency-ofthe latch or fastening device to unfasten by thejarring or slight movement of the 7 parts. The movable member of the catch consists of the vertically-disposed loops 4 4, each of which is adapted to turn independently of the otherQso that when the gate is being closed the loops as they strike their corresponding 'studswill take a position substantially as indicated by the lower loop in Fig. 1. In this position the loops will entirely surround the studs or projections 2 and prevent the gate swinging in either direction.

I have showuin the accompanying drawings only two loops; but it is obvious that more than two may be used, if desired. The

loops are rotatably mounted within brackets v5, 6, and 7, rigidly secured to the outer edge 5 of the gate. with a vertical orifice which receives and forms The upper bracket 5 is formed a bearing for the upwardly-extending pintle 8 on the upper loop, and the lower. bracket 7 has a similar vertical orifice; to receive the 9 depending pintle 9 on the lower end'of the lower loop: I have also provided suitable means for conveniently unfastening the latch when it is desired to open the gate. To this end the upper loop has a depending rod 10, and the lower loop is provided with an upwardly extending rod 11, said rods being loosely connected together and at their juncture equipped with suitable finger-grips 15 and 16, which may be conveniently grasped with one hand for operating the loops when it is desired to unfasten the gate. The fingergrips 16 are integrally formed with a sleeve 13, which is preferably made of malleable iron cast on the free end of the rod 11 and forming a bearing for the reception of the free end of the rod 10. The bracket 6 has a vertical orifice, similar to those in the other two brackets, which receives and forms a bearing for the sleeve 13, said sleeve having an annular flange 14 thereon for the purpose of supporting the sleeve within its hearing. The finger-grips 15 are integrally cast with a collar 12, which is also preferably made of malleable iron and secured to the rod 10 a sufficient distance above its lower end to allow said rod to rest within the bearing formed by the sleeve 13 upon the. upper end of the rod 11.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a modification of the means for connecting the rods 10 and 11 together. In this form the sleeve instead of being secured to the rod 11 is formed on the rod 10, as shown at 17, and the collar is mounted upon the rod 11, as shown at 18, instead of being formed on the end of the rod 10. An annular flange 19 is formed on the collar 18 for supporting the same within the vertical orifice in the bracket 6. In this modified form the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 is practically reversed, and it is to be understood that either of them may be used as desired. While it is true that in the form shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 there is little or no liability of any moisture affecting the parts to such a degree that they would not turn easily, still it is believed that in the modified form shown in Fig. 1 there is less liability of this occurring.

From the foregoing description it will be readily understood that as the, gate is being closed the loops will strike their operatingstuds and be automatically turned upon their axis to such a position that the gate will be securely latched thereby. It will also be noted that each of the loops will operate only at the time its corresponding stud is reached, thus obviating all of the difliculties fully set forth hereinbefore, and the finger-grips being located at a convenient height upon the gate the loops may be easily unfastened when desired.

In carrying out my invention various modifications in the construction herein shown and described may be made, and I would therefore have it understood that I do not limit myself to the precise details herein illustrated. For example, the position of the parts may be reversed and the loops may be mounted on the post and the studs carried by the gates.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure, is

1. A latch or fastener for gates and the like, comprising a plurality of connected loops, and a corresponding number of cor'iperating studs for said loops, each loop free to turn on its axis independently of the others.

2. A latch or fastener for gates and the like, comprising a plurality of independeiitly-operated connected loops, brackets in which the loops are supported to turn freely, and a plurality of cooperating studs for said loops.

3. A latch or fastener for gates and the like, comprising a plurality of connected loops, vertically disposed, and a plurality of co 'iperat ing studs for said loops, each loop free to turn on its axis independently of the others.

4. A latch or fastener for gates and the like, comprising a pluralityof independently-operated loops, a corresponding number of cooperating studs for said loops, and linger-grips carried by the loops.

5. A latch or fastener for gates and the like, comprising a plurality of inde1)endently-operated loops, a swivel connection between the adjacent loops, and a plurality of cof'iperating studs for said loops.

6. A latch or fastener for gates and the like, comprising a plurality of ind ependen tl y-operated loops, at corresponding number of cooperating studs for said loops, rods extending from the loops, and a swivel connection between the ends of the adjacent rods.

7. A latch or fastener for gates and the like, comprising a plurality of loops, each pivotally mounted on its support and provided with a projecting rod, one of said rods carrying a sleeve adapted to receive the free end of the rod of the adjacent loop, and a plurality of cooperating studs for, the loops.

8. A latch or fastener for gates and the like, comprising a plurality of loops, each pivotally mounted on its support and provided with a projecting rod, one of said rods carrying a sleeve adapted to receive the free end of the rod of the adjacent loop, a collar carried by the other rod and adapted to rest upon the free end of the sleeve, and a plurality of cooperating studs for the loops.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DAVID \VILSON.

Vi tn esses:

H. O. CARY, M. A. DowDALL. 

